Demand for high-tech workers up 3.3% in February
The figure for February represents a 28.5% leap on figures over
February 2005.
Gadi Golan
Globes
March 5, 2006
Demand for high-tech workers continues to rise, increasing by a
further 3.3% in February, according to a survey published by
Manpower Israel subsidiary Manpower Information Technology (MIT).
The moderate increase has continued the demand trend, with
fluctuations of several percentile points a month. The figure
represents an increase of 28.5% compared with those in February
2005 and is based on the volume of help-wanted ads (words and
column space) published in large newspapers. MIT CEO Idit Padan
said the data indicated a dramatic rise in February in demand for
managers (who are also the highest earners) -up 36% on January
2006, and 270% compared with February 2005. She noted that the
absolute figures were low and were therefore expressed as high
percentage rate. However, the increase in demand for managers
since 2005 clearly indicates a revival and growth in this sector
after an extended standstill.
Demand for programmers increased 5.1% in February 2006,
although compared with previous periods, it returned to the level of
mid-2004. Demand for team leaders and project managers remained
unchanged, although the figures follow a substantial increase during
most of 2005. As with the figures for programmers, the current
demand level for this group is not higher than its 2004 peak.
Demand for network managers and monthly customer support staff
fell 4.8% in February 2006, making the fourth consecutive drop in
demand. It is still difficult to assess whether this reflects a change
in trend following the substantial increase during most of 2005.
Demand in February for software engineers was only marginally
lower (1.2%), also following an impressive growth during 2005.
Demand for hardware engineers remained unchanged throughout
the entire year (despite high-monthly volatility), and the present level
is lower than the 2004 high. Demand for high-tech employees
recruited through placement agencies has shown signs of renewed
growth, after a recent slump, although it is still too early to say
whether the new figures indicate a change in trend.
Published by Globes [online],
Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 5, 2006